Introduction: Modernization of Asian Theatres

Abstract

Asian theatre is one of the primary interests within theatre scholarship in the world today. The number of papers on various aspects of Asian theatre presented at IFTR conferences has greatly increased in the past 10–15 years. Since 2009, IFTR Asian Theatre Working Group has held a biannual study meeting in order to explore common interests of Asian theatre, to discuss the differences in theatre among Asian countries, and to learn from one another. The group consists of over 100 researchers from Asian countries and regions—including Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and India—as well as researchers who live in Western countries. Six themes have been central to our discussions: training, translation, the cultural exchange among Asian countries, the role of the female, tradition, and modernization.